Space System Research Engineer; R&D

Overview

We are seeking a Space System Research Engineer to join our engineering team to help advance our core analysis platform. This is a full-time, in-office role ideal for a strong technical generalist with applied experience in the field and a research-oriented mindset. In this role, you will develop integral simulation and analysis tooling to enable our integrated environment to effectively model, simulate, and optimize spacecraft designs, subsystem parameters, and mission operations.

You will act as a critical technical bridge, applying your broad spacecraft systems knowledge to build high-fidelity simulations that solve complex spacecraft design and modeling challenges.

• Architect and develop advanced systems engineering processes, methodologies, and algorithms to analyze and specify spacecraft systems capabilities and requirements.
• Act as a technical generalist, analyzing multi-disciplinary interactions (power budgets, thermal constraints, ADCS, RF/Communications) of spacecraft.
• Apply systems engineering principles pragmatically, balancing the need for structured formal processes with the agility required for rapid, proper implementation in an R&D environment.
• Conduct open-ended research and feasibility studies to understand novel or unexpected spacecraft behaviors.
• Ensure compliance with necessary industry standards while maintaining a fast-paced development cycle.
• Document research findings, design processes, test results, and system performance.

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of hands-on industry or applied research experience in spacecraft systems engineering, with a broad, generalist understanding of multi-disciplinary interactions across various subsystems.
• Experience in or strong interest in R&D environments focusing on space domain awareness (SDA).
• Proficiency in programming (e.g., Python, C++, or MATLAB) for modeling, data analysis, and tool development.
• Strong ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic, open-minded environment while maintaining a positive and professional attitude.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, intellectual curiosity, and attention to detail.
• Must possess or be willing and eligible to obtain a United States Department of Defense Top Secret security clearance.

• Advanced Degree:
  Master’s degree or Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, astrodynamics, physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Full Lifecycle
  
  Experience:
  
  Hands-on experience with the full spacecraft or payload development lifecycle, from concept generation and preliminary design through integration, testing, and on-orbit operations.
• Domain Expertise (SDA):
  Deep technical knowledge of orbital mechanics, orbit determination, electro-optical/IR sensors, or RF/radar systems as they apply directly to Space Domain Awareness or Space Situational Awareness (SSA).
• Specialized Software & Tools:
  Proficiency with industry-standard astrodynamics and mission analysis software (e.g., AGI STK, Free Flyer, or GMAT).
• Testing & Hardware:
  Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) or software-in-the-loop (SITL) simulation and testing.

Proteus Space is a Los Angeles-based spacecraft technology company established to capitalize on a rapidly evolving space landscape and the urgent need to deliver resilient orbital capabilities to maintain and increase our national science and security interests. We combine serious space flight experience with an open minded, first-principles approach, leveraging advanced computational design and Industry 4.0 practices to deliver custom spacecraft and mission solutions with industry leading speed, precision, and reliability.

We seek to enable every payload and mission with a fully custom, purpose-built spacecraft bus, designed and delivered using Proteus™, our patent-pending, automated computational design platform, with industry leading reliability.

Proteus Space offers comprehensive benefits including paid medical healthcare for employees, flexible vacation policy, sick days, 401k matching option, pregnancy leave, family leave, holiday pay, military service leave, dental care, vision care and other benefits.

Proteus is committed to providing equal employment opportunity regardless of an applicant’s age, disability, sex, race, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic. The Company will provide reasonable accommodations to an applicant with a disability or religious belief in or to enable the applicant to apply for the position.